EUGENE, Ore. - If you cut your own firewood, you know it warms you not once, but twice.
But cutting your own wood no longer has to burn a hole in your pocket.
Region 6 of the USDA Forest Service, which includes all of the National Forests in the Pacific Northwest, are transitioning to a free firewood program. The permit previously cost $5 to $10, depending on the location.
People who cut wood to resell will still pay a minimum of $5 per cord, the Forest Service said.
“We are pleased to be able to offer free personal use firewood across the National Forests in Oregon and Washington,” said Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa. “This change will benefit people who rely on firewood as their primary heat source and will allow us to dispose of material that otherwise would have a cost to burn or remove.”
The Willamette, Umpqua and Siuslaw will transition to free use firewood starting October 1, along with the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie, Mt. Hood, Olympic and Rogue-River Siskiyou national forests.
A second transition will occur no later than January 1, 2022, for the Colville, Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Gifford Pinchot, Malheur, Ochoco, Okanogan-Wenatchee, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests.
According to the Forest Service:
Free firewood permits will be issued on a calendar basis from January – December. Forest Supervisors will designate free use firewood areas on all or parts of units that are compatible with land management plans and will establish the annual limit on the number of cords of free use an individual may collect. The total amount of free use material granted to an individual in any fiscal year cannot exceed $200 in value (36 CFR 223.8). Additional free use may be granted by District Rangers or Forest Supervisors in cases of hardship or unusual need. Free use of green material may be declined where supply is limited, or other conditions justify.